Mark Twain School opened in 2020 as Poplar Bluff R-I's full-scale alternative school, offering a nontraditional educational pathway for students in grades 7-12. Located on North Main Street, the campus occupies a facility with deep roots in the community, housing students who need a different setting to reach their full potential — whether that means credit recovery, a more individualized pace, or a fresh start altogether.
Mark Twain is more than a school — it is a hub of support services for the district. The school houses in-school homebound instruction options and partners with FCC Behavioral Health to provide on-campus life skills classes and trauma-informed care. Through the Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG) program, students receive career exploration opportunities, individualized development plans, and follow-up support for 12 months after graduation to help them enter the workforce, military, or further education. Blended learning through Edgenuity gives students flexible options to recover credits and earn their high school diplomas on their own timeline.
Enrollment at Mark Twain is fluid by design — some students attend for a semester before returning to their home school, while others complete their full secondary education here. In every case, the goal is the same: to meet students where they are and help them build a future. Since opening, Mark Twain students have earned High School Equivalency diplomas, completed military basic training, and re-enrolled siblings who had previously dropped out — a testament to what is possible when a school refuses to give up on its students.